Migraines and Depression: Finding Treatment That Works

See Insurances Accepted

OtherInsurancesAccepted

Migraines and Depression: Finding Treatment That Works

If you suffer from migraines, you may also experience a form of depression. These experiences often go hand in hand because migraines are so mentally and physically taxing. Thankfully, you can work through depression, no matter how severe your migraines may be. Here are some tips for finding personalized depression treatment for your migraines.

Why Depression Rates Are High for Migraine Sufferers

Before we explore depression treatment options, let’s take a closer look at why depression is closely associated with migraines:

The pain is isolating. When you experience chronic and consistent pain, it feels like no one in the world understands what you’re going through. Even if you know someone else with migraines, your pain is unique to you. While this is an isolating experience, know that you are not alone. There are support systems available to help you in difficult times.

Why me? You’ve probably asked this time and time again. What did you do to deserve this pain, and why can’t you find relief for it? Unfortunately, 38 million people in the U.S. suffer from migraines, and 3 million experience chronic migraines. For many, the causes and solutions are still undetermined.

Finding treatment takes time. We’re not talking about depression treatment in this instance. Simply finding a source of relief for migraine pain can take months or even years of trial and error. The wait and the unsuccessful results are frustrating and discouraging.

Migraines may create distance from friends. For instance, migraine sufferers are often considered irritable because they are persistently in pain. They have a hard time enjoying fun, lighthearted moments because of the pain they’re in. You’re not in a bad mood – you just hurt. Your friends and colleagues may not always understand that though.

You feel envious of others. Humans are naturally compelled to create comparisons. If the people around you are not suffering in the same way, you may become envious of their situations. This envy can contribute to depression and low self-esteem.

You have little hope for the future. If you have already gone through several treatment trials, you may not be hopeful for the future. This outlook, combined with the circumstances above, is why many migraine sufferers experience depression.

Types of Depression Treatment

Depression treatment may involve therapy, medication, or a combination of the two. Most clients start off working with a therapist, and the therapist may recommend a psychiatrist if needed. The psychiatrist, if necessary, will find an antidepressant or mood stabilizer that is compliant with the client’s existing medications and overall medical history.

In depression therapy, you work with a therapist one-on-one to discuss the nature of your depression. The therapist will help you identify the source of the depression, which may extend far beyond the migraines alone. Experiences from your past, stress from your lifestyle, conflicts in your relationship, and many other factors may be contributing to the depression. After finding the source of the matter, your therapist will help you find solutions that fit your life, personality, and overall needs.

Finding the Right Therapist for You

Here at Sherman Counseling, we take the time to match each client with the best therapist for his or her circumstances. Many of our therapists have experience working with people with chronic pain. We also have specialists for trauma counseling, grief counseling, addiction counseling, anxiety counseling, couples counseling, and more. When you contact our office at 920-733-2065, we will set you up with the right counselor from the start. All of our therapists are licensed, highly educated, and experienced in depression treatment.